Amtrak substation repairs to be completed this week

Amtrak and New Jersey Transit are making repairs to an Amtrak-owned electrical substation in Kearny, N.J., which will be completed Friday, Nov.16.

The repairs will provide the power needed to allow for further service expansion.

Amtrak and NJ Transit conducted inspections and testing of the substation and determined the flood damage from Hurricane Sandy was not as severe as first feared. Crews are continuing with the necessary repairs and intend to have the facility back online by week's end, providing increased electrical power and a more reliable signal and switching system between New York City and Newark, N.J.

"The expedited repairs to the substation are a direct result of the cooperation and communication between Amtrak and NJ Transit and will allow our infrastructure to support a near regular service level," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.

"This is an example of strong cooperation between the two agencies, all with an eye toward improving the commute for tens of thousands of customers, following the devastating impact Hurricane Sandy has had on many of their lives," said James Weinstein, executive director of NJ Transit. "The repair of this important substation will allow us to operate nearly 90 percent of our rail network into New York."

Amtrak has continued to keep NJ Transit apprised of their ongoing power restoration efforts along the Northeast Corridor, allowing NJ Transit to resume service on a number of rail lines, including the Northeast Corridor service from Trenton to New York and MidTOWN Direct service from Morristown and Montclair.